PHOENIX — The Arizona Game and Fish Department will hold a life jacket exchange event from 10 a.m. to noon Sunday, July 19 at Saguaro Lake.

Boaters with tattered and worn ski-vest type III life jackets can exchange them for new ones at the lake. By swapping old life jackets, AZGFD is working to ensure our boaters have a fund and safe time on the state’s waterways.

“Summer time is one of the best times of the year to get outdoors and have some fun on the water,” said Josh Hoffman, Arizona Game and Fish Boating Safety Education coordinator. “However, many of our boaters are heading out with life jackets that are no longer fully effective. Having a new life jacket is one of the simplest ways a boater can protect themselves. This is why Arizona law requires that we have a serviceable life jacket for everyone on board.”

Drowning was the reported cause of death in 78 percent of the 610 recreational boating fatalities in 2014 nationwide, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Of those incidents, 84 percent of those who drowned were not wearing life jackets.

For more information on boating in Arizona or to sign up for a safety course, visit http://www.azgfd.gov/boating.

Did you know?

Arizona hunting and fishing licenses are a great value. You can get combination hunting and fishing licenses for a family of four for less than the price of one night in a motel. Great Outdoors, Great Value! https://azgfdportal.az.gov/License